Accident Overview
On 2 June 2002 at 14:27 UTC, a Piper PA-28R-201T Cherokee Turbo Arrow III, registered I-KITT, experienced an accident near Monte Castello, approximately 1665 meters north of Marina di Campo Airport on the island of Elba. The aircraft was owned by Aero Club Casalese of Casale Monferrato. After departing from runway 34, the aircraft made an emergency landing on the southern slope of Monte Castello in terrain covered with low Mediterranean vegetation. Shortly after the emergency landing, the four occupants evacuated the aircraft, which then caught fire and exploded.
Flight History
The flight originated from Casale Monferrato Airport on the morning of 2 June, destined for Marina di Campo. The trip plan included a several-hour stop and a return to Casale Monferrato that evening. Before departure, 190 liters of fuel were loaded. Weather conditions were good, and landing at Marina di Campo was uneventful. The four occupants spent some hours at the beach and prepared to return in the afternoon.
The Marina di Campo AFIS reported good weather: wind from 030° at 10 knots, QNH 1018 hPa, and good visibility. Runway 34 was in use due to the northeast wind. The AIP Italia had published a suggested departure path to avoid obstacles near Monte Castello and Monte S. Martino, requiring a minimum climb gradient of 5%.
According to the pilot's statement, the fuel quantity at departure was 130 liters. The estimated takeoff weight was 1264 kg, within the maximum certified weight of 1315 kg. After receiving traffic information from AFIS, the pilot back-taxied on the runway and commenced takeoff from runway 34. AFIS provided the takeoff time and instructions to report leaving the airport; the pilot acknowledged and made no further radio calls.
The pilot reported performing engine checks per the manual with no anomalies, then began the takeoff roll. At 65 knots, he set the normal takeoff attitude; the aircraft lifted off briefly but then settled back onto the nose gear. Unable to abort without overrunning the runway, the pilot continued the takeoff, reaching 80 knots, and managed to become airborne. He retracted the landing gear once confident of staying airborne, left the flaps extended, and continued climbing straight ahead, but upon reaching the point where a turn was required, the aircraft struck the terrain.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The third passenger was hospitalized at Portoferraio Civil Hospital with guarded prognosis. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and subsequent fire.
Probable Cause
The Italian National Flight Safety Agency (ANSV) determined that the accident was caused by human error during the takeoff phase. The pilot, despite evident power loss, continued the takeoff run and attempted to maintain flight, failing to follow the prescribed emergency procedure for engine failure during takeoff. This prevented the aircraft from reaching sufficient altitude to clear obstacles in the vicinity of the airport.